Hampshire set to offer Fletcher role

Hampshire have appointed Giles White as team manager for the 2009 season and confirmed they are hoping to recruit former England head coach Duncan Fletcher as a consultant.

White, 36, becomes the full-time replacement for Paul Terry who announced his departure during the recent season. The former Somerset and Hampshire batsman took temporary charge of the team and led them to a third-place finish in the LV County Championship. He had previously been running the Hampshire second XI.

Hampshire have confirmed they want Fletcher - who led Glamorgan to the championship title in 1997 - to take up a role which will see him "review the structure" of the club's cricket department and "conduct an audit" of coaching practices, working with White and academy director Tony Middleton.

Zimbabwean Fletcher, 60, led England from 1999 to 2007 and was in charge when Michael Vaughan's team won back the Ashes three years ago.

Hampshire chairman Rod Bransgrove told www.rosebowlplc.com: "Giles did a superb job as caretaker manager during the last couple of months of the season and the team has responded positively to his style and commitment.

"He has therefore earned the right to take the position on a full-time basis and I am sure that all Hampshire supporters will wish him every success.

"I can confirm, also, that we are in discussion with Duncan Fletcher regarding a consultancy and advisory role with Hampshire. The purpose of this role is to review the structure of our cricket department and to conduct an audit of our coaching methods and procedures throughout the entire player development process.

"In Giles White and Tony Middleton we have two excellent young coaches and managers of great potential and both are looking forward to the possibility of working with Duncan next season with a view to optimising our cricket management and development capabilities."